Jessica Van Sweringen's Fundraiser:

AMAA YOUTH FUND TEAM 2015

THE STORY:

I am running the Boston Marathon, my first full marathon on April 20th. Running has always been a passion of mine, and it is a dream come true to run Boston.

I am running with the Harvard team to celebrate four amazing years in Boston and at Harvard. I am also running to raise money and awareness for the American Medical Athletic Association (AMAA). The money raised will go to support national Run a Mile Days, which is held each May. Run a Mile Days encourages school-age youth to run a mile and to incorporate more physical activity into their daily lives. By supporting me you will also be help America's youth get outside and enjoy a day of activity!

Your support is greatly appreciated.

AMERICAN MEDICAL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION wrote -

BENEFITTING AMAA's YOUTH FITNESS FUND

For the 2015 "RUN the Boston Marathon® with AMAA" program, we've partnered with CrowdRise to encourage AMAA members to unite and fundraise for our 2014-2015 Youth Fitness Fund. Just imagine the impact our group of medical and health professionals can have when harnessed to send a fitness message to the community in a fun and compelling way!

The Problem: Over 30 percent of children ages six to 11 are overweight, 15 percent are obese, and three out of five children ages nine to 13 don't participate in sports or other coached physical activities outside of school. These overweight and unfit children are more likely to remain unhealthy in adulthood and have an increased risk for developing life-threatening medical conditions such as Type II diabetes and heart disease.

The Solution: The American Running Association (ARA) and its medical division, the American Medical Athletic Association, are united in efforts to deter youth obesity in the U.S. and promote higher levels of physical activity for school-age youth. Donations made to ARA and AMAA's Youth Fitness Fund will benefit national RUN A MILE DAYS, held annually in May. Funds will support distribution of free materials such as the 8-week walk/run training schedule and posters, as well as help with onsite activities during the week-long event. To learn more about the program, go to www.runamile.org.

The ARA and AMAA also host an annual cross-country championship for middle schoolers through high school students from Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia. This event, held in November, is entering its eighth year and has grown to over 500 participants.

Support for the ARA/AMAA Youth Fitness Fund will help expand the organizations' efforts to increase the number of grass-roots youth running events nationwide.

Ethan Samet

DONATION: $10

Daniel Gross

DONATION: $10

Sparker

Tess Linden

DONATION: $5

Prudens

DONATION: $100

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